SSD not showing up is one of the most common drive problems encountered by SSD users. Luckily, we have the right fix for you!

In this guide we will discuss the different types of SSD failures and scenarios and how you can fix each failure.

NOTE: This guide are quick-fix recommendations only. In worse case you will need a SSD data recovery service expert to handle your particular case.

How Do SSDs Work?

An SSD or a solid-state drive is a mass storage device similar to an HDD. You may be familiar with HDDs as hard disk drives. An SSD supports reading and writing data.

It maintains stored data in a state of permanence. This is possible even when there is no power source. This is composed of some memory chips on a circuit board.

It features an In/Out interface. This is typically in the form of PCIe or SATA. This is the one responsible for transferring data.

There are a variety of reasons as to why people would opt for an SSD in place of the traditional HDD. For one, laptops can take a beating when they travel with you. Since HDDs have moving parts, there is a high chance that these are damaged in transit.

SSDs are smaller and lighter. As a result, you can save up on so much space. There’s also a reduction in weight and thickness.

On top of all of these, SSDs have a lower failure rate than HDDs. There is a need to understand how SSD works differently from an HDD so that we are better able to figure out the cause of its failure.

How Do SSDs Fail?

An SSD has no moving parts. It tends to store data in microchips. Even though there may be issues of SSD not showing up, it’s still capable of reading and writing data.

It’s no longer uncommon for people to choose between an SSD or an HDD. A Solid State Drive (SSD) is best described as an oversized USB stick. On the other hand, an HDD uses a mechanical arm that has a “read and write” head.

This head is responsible for moving your data from one device to another. It also reads your information from the correct location on a storage platter. HDDs may also have issues similar to SSD not showing up.

With this in mind, the main cause of failure for HDDs is its moving parts. So, what about SSDs?

Well, since SSDs do not have any physical moving platters, you wouldn’t need to worry too much about old hard disk issues. The storage component of an SSD is immune to damages. However, this does not mean that its other components are no longer susceptible to issues.

This includes mechanical failure.

Power FailureOne of the reasons why you may see “SSD not showing up” is because of an SSD’s need for power supplies and a capacitor. Both of these are not immune to malfunctions. Thus, power failure may be the number one reason why SSDs fail. This is alongside power surges. In fact, there are instances when SSDs may corrupt existing data. This happens even when the hard drive has not crashed yet.

Limited Read/Write CyclesAnother reason why SSDs fail is its limited number of read/write cycles. This issue is present in all types of flash memory. SSDs also use NAND flash memory. Since this is non-volatile, you can turn off the disk and it won’t erase what was stored on it. There have been rumors that the SSD can only store data for over a few years. This is completely untrue as the data stored in it can even outlive you.

Troubleshooting Your SSD: How to Check the Health of an SSD.

Checking SSDs with WmicTo check your SSD with Wmic, you’ll need to insert the Windows Installation Media first. Then, boot from the media. Open Command Prompt and type in “wmic.” Click Enter. Type “diskdrive get status.” Click Enter again. This will scan your SSD. If there are no issues, the status shown will be OK.

Checking SSDs with chkdskYou can do this by right-clicking My Computer to run the chkdsk utility. Choose the drive that you want to check. Select Tools under Properties. Then, select Error Checking Section. This will proceed to scan your drive.

SSD Not Showing Up: Warning Signs of an Impending SSD Failure

Even after resolving the most common issue of SSD not showing up, you may want to pay attention to the signs and symptoms of a failing hard drive. If you experience any of the below signs, backup everything as soon as possible. That is if you can still boot your PC.

This lowers your chances of experiencing permanent data loss.

Corrupted DataCorrupted or damaged data can no longer be opened, moved, or even deleted. This can be caused by copying and moving files, then suddenly canceling the act. Malware or virus is another reason why this could happen. Lastly, a failing hard drive can also cause the corruption of a file.

Clicking SoundsAt times, a failing hard drive is not about seeing, but what you can hear. Clicking sounds are one of the most obvious signs of a failing hard drive. It is also true that a functioning computer can produce audible clicks. Thus, make sure that the sound you hear is coming from the hard drive. If it does, immediately back up everything important. This often happens because there is a malfunction on the SSD’s head component. Screeching noises, on the other hand, pertains to the failure of both the spindle motor and platter. You’ll need the assistance of a professional to recover data. There are no guarantees, though.

Recurring FreezesOnce you’ve resolved the issue of SSD not showing up, you can proceed to assess if you experience any recurring freezes even when the HDD or SSD is running. You can reformat your computer or run it in Safe Mode. However, before anything else, backup your important files before it is too late. If after this, your computer still freezes, there is a high chance that your hard drive is failing.

Slower PerformanceSimilar to recurring freezes, a failing hard drive can also lead to slower performance. Back up your important files before reformatting your computer. Should the problem persist, you may need to contact a professional to look into it. It would help to know how you can resolve the issue of SSD not showing up so you can clearly explain the situation.

Read-Only SSDAfter resolving the issue of SSD not showing up, you’ll know that hard drives are made to read and write data. If your SSD becomes “read-only,” this could mean that your drive is failing. Here, SSD is detected but you can no longer write data. However, you can read the existing data.

Bad SectorsTo avoid issues like SSD not showing up, check its internal components. A sector is a part of the hard drive that categorizes stored data. One bad sector can severely impact your hard drive.

Run a manual check to see which sector has gone bad.

Here’s how:

Go to the Hard Disk Drive in My Computer.

Select the Tools tab from under Properties.

Select Error Checking.

Click on Check Now.

Windows will automatically search for the bad sector and fix it.

Should the problem persist, you may need to contact a professional to look into it.

What Now? How to Recover Data From a Dead SSD

What’s worse than a failing SSD? A dead SSD. Here’s what you can do to recover data from a dead SSD.

While there are certain similarities, these steps are made specifically for recovering data from a dead SSD. You no longer have to worry too much about issues of SSD not showing up.

The easiest way to resolve this issue is to troubleshoot hardware faulty. If you still can’t see your SSD in BIOS even after you’ve determined what hard drive do I have, check the SSD hardware. Also, make sure that all corresponding ports are working properly.

There are a lot of reasons why your SSD is not recognized. It’s possible that there are driver issues or hidden partitions. It’s also possible that the SSD is new. Therefore, it hasn’t been initialized yet. Other reasons would include the SSD partitions being lost or unallocated. If it’s not lost, the file system of partitions may not be recognized.

The best you can do is update the drivers manually. Make sure that all of them are compatible. To do this, simply right-click on your SSD and select Update Driver Software. You’ll need to follow the instructions provided.

Initializing an NVMe SSD involves the same process steps as setting up a new SSD. Launch Disk Management and right-click on the SSD drive. Then, click on Initialize Disk. Click OK to accept the default partition style. You can always change the partition style between MBR or GPT whenever you want to.

How to Care For Your SSD

After you’ve resolved the issue of your SSD not showing up, it is still necessary for you to take care of them. Whether it is an SSD or an HDD. SSDs may not have moving parts, yet they are still subjected to daily wear and tear.

Even though this doesn’t pertain to the physical wear and tear, the stored data can still be affected.

Enabling the TRIM command is a great way to ensure that your SSD is in shape. You can also keep your Windows Defrag On. Be sure to arrange Windows System folders and divide your data accordingly.

Also, keep some space free. If you are storing too much data on your SSD, you can opt to upgrade your RAM so that it can support your SSD.

About The Company

Our mission at TTR Data Recovery is to be the most recognized data recovery company in the world based on the quality of service we provide and the unique, proprietary data recovery techniques we employ that aren’t found anywhere else.